Thumbs up, Thumbs down

The art of reading others is not an easily learned skill. In fact, few and far between ever really master the art, but its something we all desire. When meeting someone else, we yearn for the ability to see how things will go before they occur. But this will never happen.

The true art falls back on something quite simple-- thumbs up, thumbs down.

It goes something like this, I meet someone at a bar. I'm into him. Then good heavens! What's he saying? Oh my, he doesn't like to read OR learn?! In fact, he has absolutely nothing to offer me. My friend is just within arms reach, I squeeze her arm with force and she comes to the rescue.

Guy number 2, memories of guy number 1 flash, but luckily they are just memories. Guy number 2 offers more. Interesting conversation starts easily flowing between us, then my friend sees me and signals thumbs up thumbs down. I give the I'm OK go ahead: thumbs up. No rescue needed.

It's not really mind reading so much as knowing how to read your friends signals when it comes to meeting men.

The dating world is brutal, sometimes you need a good friend at your side to rescue you from the number 1 guys in the world. And then sometimes its good to know that you've got a friend there even when you've got a number 2 guy. Because really we don't have the ability to see how things will go, and its nice to know I don't always need to be rescued, but its also nice to know the option is there, just waiting for a thumbs up or thumbs down.

And as shallow or ridiculous as the process seems, it works. I know a person can not truly be judged in the first moments met, but I'd also like to avoid that feeling of getting trapped in a horribly awkward situation in a crowded bar. You might tell me to just walk away, but wouldn't that be rude? Isn't it nicer to have a friend come chat you both up than to face immediate and utter rejection? Everyone wins, no one has to get rejected and no one has to get stuck in a mind numbing situation. Instead, you all peacefully part ways-- all because of a simple hand gesture.

~z.

*Picture pulled from here

"That's what we're here for"

Tonight I called my best friend because guys/men/boys tend to make you feel badly about yourself, but for what exactly?

If you don't really know someone and you're not in a relationship with them, how dare they make bold accusations about who you are?

I finally understand why women up north aren't as friendly, it's not that they aren't good people, it's rather a defense mechanism to putting up with bull 24/7. It's inevitable that we will all harden under certain circumstances. I keep warding off the hard shell, but defense mechanisms come flying off me like hail bouncing off a car.

I put up with things because I don't want to be "rude," but when I draw the line after situation has flung me far past the original line, suddenly I'm "the bitch." But really people should know how to treat each other. After all, we are the same species. And, not to be WAY too cliche, but doesn't the golden rule get taught for reason? Yes, it's something we preach to five year olds, but shouldn't we also take it into account for our everyday lives? Do you want to be talked down to? If the answer is "no," then don't do it to some girl thinking it's OK, because guess what? I'm here to say it's not OK. It just isn't.

And, don't call at 10:30 and expect a date, if you want a date, book in advance. Otherwise, your intentions are completely transparent and how can you expect a girl, even the sweet ones, to not see through that? I've spent my dating life believing the best in people, but maybe I should be a little bit more skeptical, because maybe some of us have life rafts and other's don't, maybe those without try to steal the rest of our abilities to stay afloat, leaving us to drown.

I'd rather not believe this. The eternal optimist that I am will wait to be proved wrong, but not without caution.



In the mean time, I rely on those I can count on-- my friends. I apologized to my friend tonight for pouring life problems on her and she said "that's what we're here for." Many women, like myself, find friends that are girls hard to come by. That's because it's harder to find girl friends than guy friends. But the girl friends that you do make and keep are really special, they are the ones that get you through everything. Guy friends are easy to make and easy to lose. They're great, but there's nothing like a best friend.

Guys are more interchangeable than girls at this point in my life. In fact, until I get married the previous statement will stand on solid ground.

*First picture pulled from here
*Second picture pulled from here

~ z.